Fall/Winter 2013 Bridal Makeup Tips: Dewy Skin

Exfoliator, moisturizer and time are your bridal BFFs to achieve a glowing complexion.

By Eileen Smith Dallabrida

Even brides blessed with a naturally flawless complexion should be diligent about maintaining the basics of good skin care to offset the stresses of planning a wedding.

“Exfoliate with a good scrub and moisturize,” advises Heidi Sweringen, bridal makeup artist at Made Ya Look in Rehoboth Beach. “Stay out of the sun and drink huge amounts of water.”

If you are planning on an extensive skincare regimen to grow your glow, factor in lots of time.

“Typically, we recommend beginning any new skin care products and/or procedures at least three months prior to the wedding,” says Kerry Coates, an aesthetician at Premier Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in Newark. “This allows enough time to deal with possible reactions to the newly introduced products.”

Brides are trending upward in age—the average first-time bride is now 29—and there’s a growing emphasis on products and regimens that contribute to a youthful appearance.

“Often we will recommend having a microdermabrasion or light chemical peel in the office, combined with a home care regimen,” says Lori Spencer, M.D., a dermatologist at Premier.

Premier and other select medical spas carry Revision Skincare’s 60-day Bridal Protocol, which includes four products to prime and prep skin for the big day: a weekly exfoliating scrub to remove dead cells that dull the skin; a concentrated, oil-free hydrating serum; Vitamin C lotion, loaded with antioxidants; and a tinted moisturizing sunscreen in two formulas, matte for oily skin and the original blend for medium to dry skin.